FURTHER REPORT - ENVIRONMENT PROJECT GRANTS (ROUND 21) (referred from General Committee dated 9 June 2026 Item 7.14) · Report

ORDINARY MEETING                                                                      18 JUNE 2026


        o   To maximise objectivity, independent three-member panels were established for each
            grant category, deliberately structured to include cross-branch representation. The
            Environment Project Grants panel comprised two Environment Services officers and
            one Strategy & Sustainability officer, while the Climate Change Response Grants panel
            reversed this ratio. Including an evaluator from outside the core subject area prevented
            siloing and provided independent, critical scrutiny.

•   Phase 4: Independent Scoring and Executive Moderation
        o   Panel members scored applications individually and independently against the
            established criteria. These scores were subsequently collated and subjected to a formal
            moderation review by leadership staff within the Strategy & Environment directorate to
            ensure scoring consistency, fairness, and alignment with strategic objectives.
Recommended Projects for Funding
A summary of the grant assessment recommendations is provided below:

Environment Project Grants
•   Fully fund two applications received totalling $24,129.16.
•   Partially fund one application receive totalling $10,870.84
For further information regarding the applications and individual funding recommended refer
to Attachment 1.

Four projects have been recommended for funding based on thorough assessment against the
evaluation criteria, community benefit and Council priorities. Staff have also identified a number of
minor conditions that would be required for each successful applicant to implement during project
delivery.

Council staff will reach out individually to the five unsuccessful applicants in this program and work
with them on their projects to improve identified gaps in their applications and see how they can be
supported through other existing programs and opportunities to meet the need that has been
articulated.

Overall, most applications scored highly against the relevant grant criteria and Noosa Council was
grateful for the time invested by applicants to apply for the Environment Project


Link to Corporate Plan
Theme No 1 - Environment
Focus areas include the natural environment, built environment, waterways and coasts and
conservation and heritage.
Objective 1.1 – Maintain and improve water quality and the health of waterways, wetlands and
catchments
Objective 1.2 – Partner with landowners and community groups to manage, protect and regenerate
natural environment assets and improve resilience
Objective 1.5 – Deliver expanded vegetation networks, rehabilitation and habitat across the Shire
Objective 1.6 – Partner with the community to improve water quality and environmental outcomes
through whole-of-catchment management
Theme No. 2 - Liveability
Liveability encompasses housing, facilities and services, transport, health and wellbeing to enable
an inclusive, connected and vibrant community.
Objective 2.6 – Facilitate strong, vibrant and inclusive communities where people have a sense of
belonging and are active participants in community life
Objective 2.8 – Provide opportunities to enhance the health, wellbeing and safety of communities